Upper Iowa's volleyball team gained votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 thanks to their 10-1 start which includes a split in their opening matches of NSIC play last week. In last week's AVCA Top 25 poll, UIU earned 35 points, but this week the team earned 109 points in the poll. The Peacocks opened the season with a 9-0 record before dropping a hard-fought, four-set match at #2 Concordia University-St. Paul on Thursday last week. UIU bounced back with a 3-1 win over Minnesota State University, Mankato on Saturday afternoon in Fayette to mark the first victory in the program's history over the Mavericks. The 10-1 start marks the best start in program history.
The Peacocks' have shown their depth this season with multiple players battling for the lead in several categories.
Anna Winter is hitting .275 for the season with 135 kills (3.5/set), while
Haley Weepie has 113 kills and
Haley Poula has 90. Malissa LeClaire has dished out 359 assists (9.2/set) to pace the UIU attack.
Ashley Larson (202 digs; 5.2/set), LeClaire (137), Weepie (127) and
Gabby Holmes (81) have been solid on the backline providing defense and passing for the Peacocks. At the net,
Bethany Lovhaug has denied 36 blocks, while
Haley Poula and
Lauren Wombles have added 25 and 22 blocks, respectively.
Upper Iowa is one of nine Northern Sun Conference teams mentioned in the poll. The first seven are in the top 25 including #1 Southwest Minnesota State, #2 Concordia University, St. Paul, #6 University of Minnesota Duluth, #9 Winona State University, #12 Augustana University, #18 Wayne State College and #19 Northern State University. The University of Sioux Falls is also receiving votes with 32 points.
The Peacocks have a full home schedule this week with three matched against NSIC foes. Upper Iowa will host the #9 Warriors of Winona State on Tuesday with a WHITEOUT in Dorman Gym at 6 p.m. UIU will also host Minnesota State University Moorhead on Friday at 6 p.m. and the #19 Wolves of Northern State on Saturday at 2 p.m.